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Mel Sherratt
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Written in the Scars: Secrets, lies and revenge in a standalone drama (The Estate Series Collection) Kindle Edition

by Mel Sherratt (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,775 ratings
‘Scars – they define us, inside and out, but that’s what makes us individual.’

After years of living as a single parent, all Donna Adams longs for is someone to make her smile, to share hopes and dreams with, to keep her warm at night. But when that certain someone gives her the attention she craves, he turns into her worst nightmare.

Home from the army, Lewis is a changed man. Angry and consumed by grief, troubled by nightmares and flashbacks, his mind is worse now than ever. Shutting out what he’s seen isn’t easy, but he risks losing everything he’s come back to if he doesn’t, including his sanity.

If the past could be erased to make a better future, we’d all want that, wouldn’t we? But life is never that easy for residents on The Mitchell Estate…

The Estate Series - where even the darkest days have lighter moments.

Books in The Estate Series are:
Somewhere to Hide
Behind a Closed Door
Fighting for Survival
Written in the Scars
The Estate Box Set (A collection of books 1-3 above)
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  1. Part of series
    The Estate Series Collection
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 30, 2015
  6. File size
    929 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.
  • Kindle Price:
    $14.97
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mel Sherratt has been a self-described "meddler of words" ever since she can remember. She lives in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with her husband and her terrier, Dexter (named after the TV serial killer, with some help from her Twitter fans), and makes liberal use of her hometown as a backdrop for some of her writing.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B013YL33R8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blood Red Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 30, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 929 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ The Estate Series Collection
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,775 ratings

About the author

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Mel Sherratt

Mel Sherratt

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I write dark fiction with an emotional pull. My novels take you to the heart of the crime. I write police procedurals, psychological suspense and crime dramas - fiction with a punch. Shortlisted for the prestigious CWA (Crime Writer's Association) Dagger in The Library Award, my inspiration comes from authors such as Lisa Jewell, Kerry Barnes, LJ Ross and Ian Rankin.

To date, I’ve sold over two million books. All twenty-two of my crime novels have been bestsellers, each one climbing into the Kindle UK top 20, and I've had several number ones. I've also had numerous Kindle All-star awards, for best read author and best titles.

I also write contemporary women's fiction under the pen name of Marcie Steele.

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, with my husband and make liberal use of my hometown as a backdrop for most of my books.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,775 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • mark r fisher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was only disappointed when I glanced at my kindle and saw I was eighty percent done . I never want her books to end . It was great you feel as though you know all the players . Great story can wait for the next . Keep up the great work
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Another great book! I've read all of Mel Sherratt's books and have been very pleased with them!
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  • carol ferullo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    good
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  • read-along-with-sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just gets better
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2015
    Format: Kindle
    review

    I have loved each book in this series. But this book 4 literally blew me away with the indepth characters, they're troubles, strife and woes.

    The Estate is just it. Its an Estate where families live in different homes, some poorer than others, and each from all walks of life.

    Some dysfunctional families that have terrible problems to some with everyday family problems.

    Written In the Scars was a story to me where there were different individuals, some friends with each other, some related. All with Scars.

    There some scars that can be seen. There are some scars that lay unseen by the human eye.

    Lewis He had scars that you could see by his personality and his reactions in life. But they were not evident scars on the body. Oh no, not ones that could be seen for you to meet him and realize that he was scared. You would have to have known a little about him first. Otherwise, his reactions, his behavior would simply come across to you as a thug, a bully. But he Lewis was sad. He had a secret. He went through something that he couldn't cope with when in the Army.
    He has PTSD symptoms.

    He has lost his wife, he hardly sees his child.
    He's determined to get them back.

    Donna she has scars. The first half of the book you can't see her scars. They are emotional scars left over from her marriage.
    She falls in love, another chance...she thinks.
    Later though, she gets scarred.
    Scars you can see, scars you can hear from her sad lips.

    I cringed for Donna.

    Donna has all her families burdens and worries on her shoulders as most Moms do.
    She also is worried about her own Mother in the care home. Her Mother has dementia and she doesn't know what to believe or not, but is her Mother being badly treated? Another thing for her to worry about.

    Then there is Sam.

    Then there is Megan. Megan works at the hospital where Sam has had his operation.

    Megan has scars, Megan has visible scars. But no one can see them under the heavy make up.

    I don't know why, but each time I have read one of these books from The Estate by Mel Sherratt I feel like a nosy neighbor. Someone twitching at her curtains and peeking out after dark, watching the neighborhood and wondering 'just what is gonna happen next'. Its that kind of "feel" to me.
    I am not sure if that is how the author wanted a reader to feel, but it certainly did that for me.

    A kind of 'sit down at the table over a cuppa and a gossip about this one and that'

    I also took away something from this book about Scars

    We all have them.
    Some are hidden.
    Some are visible by the naked eye.
    Some are known to us by the actions and thoughts plus decisions we may make in the future because of them.

    We can be an acress/actor, and we can cover up our scars, we can invent ourselves and pretend they are just not there...
    but there they are...
    beneath the surface of:
    Make up
    A smile
    A laugh
    A thought
    A frown.

    And some need help overcoming the Scars.

    Thank you Mel for a wonderful read that kept me up last night :)
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  • Customer Review
    4.0 out of 5 stars Grit-lit by an excellent British author
    Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2015
    Format: Kindle
    I really enjoy reading Mel’s books but this is the first one I have read from The Estate Series. Her other books from the DS Allie Shenton Series - Follow The Leader and Only The Brave are brilliant so I did not hesitate when Mel asked me to read and review her new book, Written in the Scars and I am so pleased I did because I really liked it even though it is slightly different to what I normally read.

    Mel has a skill of drawing you into the lives of complete strangers, becoming attached to them and really caring about what happens to them even if some of them are far from perfect. The characters she creates are authentic and believable and Mel makes you feel that they could be you, a member of your family, a friend, neighbour or work colleague. The trials and tribulations she puts them through are more than plausible they are true-to-life and are probably happening in your street right now.

    Donna is a 40-something, single parent working in a local shop; her son is walking a thin line to becoming a miscreant, her daughter working in a massage parlour and to top it all, her mum has dementia. Donna is the linchpin in the family but all she wants is a little fun herself and to get the spark back into her life. There is a saying that good things only happen to good people, well, this isn’t always true - I won’t elaborate further - no spoilers from me - you’ll just have to read the book.

    Lewis is an ex-soldier who has brought back a lot of baggage from his tours in Afghanistan and as a result, has lost his family and is back living on The Estate with his mum who herself is mourning the death of her husband. All Lewis wants is to be back with his family however, he is on self-destruct and as a result, is pushing all those he holds dear and those who want to help further away. I found myself really feeling for Lewis and I desperately wanted to jump in the book and help him myself - that’s what Mel does, like I said, she makes you care.

    There are many other characters of note including Megan - a young girl with a secret who is holding down two jobs as well as caring for her disabled mum; Josie - a housing officer with a heart and Owen - Donna’s love interest. There are some more minor characters as well and although I call them minor, they are pivotal to the realism of the book.

    Mel’s writing style is easy to read and flows well. Her use of language during the dialogue, both internal and between characters, is natural and convincing.

    Mel is a favourite author of mine and I would encourage anyone who enjoys a great character-driven story or, as Mel describes it herself, grit-lit (women’s fiction with a punch) to buy this book, you will not be disappointed and once you have, you will want to read everything else she has written.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • T
    5.0 out of 5 stars holiday novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    just love books to take on holidays
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  • Barry Frost
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read certainly emphasises the Haves and the Have Nots ...
    Reviewed in Australia on March 21, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Good Read certainly emphasises the Haves and the Have Nots - This is not the society I wish to be part of.
    Report
  • Peter C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Didn’t want it to end -a great read.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 2, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Really enjoyed the novel. Lots of twists and turns. The characters were very believable and the story lines kept me interested right to the very end.
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  • Jackie Roche
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Yet
    Reviewed in Spain on October 30, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I would like to thank Mel for giving me the opportunity to read this in return for an honest and open review.
    I have read the previous 3 books in "The Estate" series and loved them all. I must admit, though, that I think this is the best yet.
    Reading it I felt as if I was catching up on the lives of old friends, chatting over a cup of tea.
    I loved the way the story unfolded, with each character telling their story.
    There were new characters interspersed with old favourites, my favourites being Josie and Megan.
    I do think this series has got all the hallmarks of a TV series. Granada should definitely take it up.
    Well done Mel, a brilliant book. I wait impatiently for number 5.
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  • Tamsin Dibdin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great reads!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed all four books in this series, however book 1 & 4 are my favourites- you don't have to read them in order - there are no cliff hangers but it makes sense to as you will have a better understanding of the estate & the characters etc...
    Mel is a great writer , whom I would recommend to fellow readers who enjoy gritty crime-drama-thrillers, all books being a great price too.
    I thought I'd see more of the characters of book one throughout the 4 book series, but Mel didn't just focus on those & I met lots more in each book, some familiar, lots new! so these can be read as standalone thrillers too, although as I said, I'd recommend reading the four, in the order they were written.
    All books were very reasonably priced, at no more than £1.99 a book & I got a few at 99p! ( I bought 6 of her books in total)
    These are written deep emotionally, & touches upon many sensitive subjects , which I think she handled with care -some of which you may relate to- I know I did!
    Mel's writing is fresh, & has similarities to Martina Cole & Mandasue Heller & the suchlike, although the writing is lighter than Martinas.
    I read all four in succession , sitting for hours, I enjoyed these & I look forward to reading more of her books, after maybe a couple of fun erotica novels!
    These novels are great, although they are not for the faint hearted, which is why I love them(!) so fellow readers enjoy these fast paced, gripping, intense books, you will feel like you are there with nearly all of the charters! Only great authors can do that, Respect to you, Mel!
    I didn't review her first three, I thought I'd do one big review at the end, ( if I liked her enough to read all four, which I did!) so at these prices, if you like a good realistic London real life gritty crime-novel , with a sh*t load of emotion jam packed then you cannot afford to not have a read of these- you won't be disappointed!
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